Train-sighter



(No Model.; 2 sheetssheet 1 J. R. PARK.

TRAN SIGHTER. No. 328,606. Patented Oct. 20, 1885.

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Attorney (No Model.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

Ja R.PARK

TRAIN SIGHTER. No. 328,606. Patented Oct. 20, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES R. PARK, OF LAVERGNE TENNESSEE.

TRAIN-SIGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,606, dated October 20,1885.

Serial No. 128,322. (Nn model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES It. PARK, of Lavergne, in the county of Rutherford and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Train-Sighters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in train-sighting apparatus, the object of the same being to provide a simple, effective, and inexpensive apparatus for showing the approach of a train from either direction to the eye of a telegraph-operator or station agent, without requiring the operator or agent to leave his seat.

Vith these ends in view my invention consists in two mirrors supported in such a Inanner that they may be adjusted in any desired vertical or horizontal angle.

My invention further consists in a box provided with glass ends and front, constructed to protect the mirrors from damage by storms, and further provided with wooden ends and front, constructed to protect the glass from damage by accident or mischief during the night or when not in use.

My invention further consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as willbe fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the entire apparatus in position for use. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, showing the attachment of the mirrors to the box. Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the mirrors; and Eig. 4 is a view in vertical section through the box, the mirrors being shown in elevation.

A represents a rectangular box, provided with the glass ends a and with the glass front a. The top, bottom, and back of this box are made of plane boards of the desired thickness. The top may be made flat, or, if the box is to be exposed to rain, the top is preferably rounded or ridged, to forni a rain-shed. The ends and front of this box are further provided with wooden guards or shields B, hinged to the edges of the bottom, and adapted to close over the glass, and form, when so closed, a snugly-fitting external wooden surface over the ends and front of the said box.

The mirrors C are preferably of oblong shape, and are mounted on the face of a sheet of metal, D, said metal being provided about its edge with narrow projections d, integral with the sheet D, which projections are bent over the edge of the mirror, thus holding the mirror snugly against the sheet D. The rear end of the metal sheet D projects a short distance from the edge of the mirror. To this projection one leaf of a hinge, E, is secured. The other leaf of the hinge E is secured to a block, F. The block F is pivotally secured to the back of the box A by a bolt, e, passing through the block and back of the box, and the said block F is held in any required rotary adjustment by means of a clampnut, f, Which engages the threaded end of the bolt c. The pivotal bolt e passes through the back of the box near one end, and about midway between the upper and lower edges of the back.

A second mirror, similar in all respects to the one just described, and similarly mounted, is secured to the back of the box in a position near the opposite end from the one just mentioned, and in the same manner.

It will be readily seen that any desired horizontal angle for the mirrors may be obtained by the hinges E, and any vertical angle may be attained by the pivoted bolts e. For the purpose of holding the mirrors in any desired horizontal angle, a simple Wedge-shaped piece may be inserted beneath the front ends; or a sharp-pointed brad may be pressed into the bottoni of the box, and resting against the mirror hold it as desired.

The apparatus as thus described is intended for the purpose of sighting trains.

The box A may be secured to a post in front of a window where the telegraph-operator or station agent is accustomed to sit, or it may be secured directly to the building and a hole cut through the wall to enable the operator to look into it. lVherever it is placed, after it is rigidly secured in position, the mirrors may be regulated so as to bring the railway-track into view to the right and left, whether the grade be up or down, or the road turn to the right or left.

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rIhe portion of the box back of andl between the mirrors may serve as a convenient receptacle for way-bills during the night, thus economizing space.

The advantages of this apparatus are apparent when we consider the trouble to which the operator or agent is often put to accomplish his duties satisfactorily. For example, it is quite usual forone person to occupy the position of operator, train-sighter, and perhaps station agent at the smaller stations along railroads.

The operator sitting at his instrument is askedV the question from the general train agent, Is No. in sightl7 The operator mustl leave his seat, go to the platform, and look up or down the track. While he is up he loses his control of the wire, and perhaps before he can answer the question the train rushes past. Loss of time, and perhaps accident, follow this delay. My present invention overcomes any trouble of this nature, as a single'glance at the apparatus would give the operator the desired information, and he could answer the question immediately. rlhis is only one of many advantages which might be mentioned.

It is evident that slight changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself strictly to the construction herein set forth.

I am awarethat it is not broadly new in window mirrors to arrange mirrors at an angle within a box, the latter provided with a wooden front and open sides, and hence I make no claim thereto. In this device the mirrors are located at or in the open end of the box, with the opaque front of the box between the front ends of the mirror, and hence it is impossible to sight objects through both mirrors at the same time.

I am also aware that it is not new to place mirrors within a show-case, and also that mir- 'rors have heretofore been mounted on metallic plates, and hence I do not claim the same, broadly; but,

Having fully described my invention, what' I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a train-sighter, the combination, with b a back or rest and two blocks adjustably secured thereto, of a mirror hinged to each block, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a box having glass ends and front, and two blocks adj ustably se- JAMES R. PARK.

Witnesses:

J. B. CHARLTON, C. W. PATTERsoN. 

